Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I am so Grateful for my many many blessings. They are far more than I can count on one blog post and probably more than anyone would want to hear about. Like most I am grateful for my family, friends and for Jesus Christ and His Atonement. My life has been filled with so many of His tender mercies and am so Grateful for His love & forgiveness in my life. I am so blind and it is that love that guides me through my life and fills me with Joy.
I have been feeling nostalgic this year of our days in Ann Arbor and all the wonderful memories we made there. This is a video of our first Thanksgiving there. Our Turkey took over 7 hours to cook (we couldn't figure out why) and so we were just killing time. My dad drove down from Pittsburgh to spend it with us. I have had this video for some time but this is the first Thanksgiving that I have actually allowed myself to watch it.
If you are not aware, this Christmas will be five years that my dad died from Lung Cancer. In this video he was sick but he did not know yet. His breath was shallow and his leg swollen but he was diagnosed with phlebitis in his leg and a chest cold by his local practicioner. After his symptoms became increasingly worse they did further tests and he was diagnosed with cancer on December 8th and died just 2 1/2 weeks later. It was a brief battle but another evidence of the Lord's tender mercies, as he did not suffer long. It made me so happy to watch this video and feel so Grateful that I got to spend so much time and share his last Thanksgiving with him just before he died. So... I share this video, which is a tender mercy to me, with you this Thanksgiving Day.
Much Love,
Emily
This weekend was the Young Women Daddy Daughter campout at Brazos State Park. I love my calling and certainly did not want to miss out on the fun. I dragged all three boys along with me...they were good sports to come along. Here is our group: YW, dads & YW leaders. 
In the morning we took a 5 mile hike around 40 acre lake. Weston pushed Warren most of the way and I packed Benjamin in the Baby Bjorn. My back was a wee bit tired at the end but all made it through. It was such a beautiful area and wonderful day for a hike. 
In the state park alligators are free roaming and so you have to be fairly cautious. We saw about 9 during our hike. It was pretty cool. This guy was hugemungus and his belly looked as though he just ate his lunch. We are told that there are usually more gators but it is getting pretty chilly (about 45 that day) and so they were fewer in numbers.
Warren and I named this one BIG daddy. Fun times. CHOMP.
Every year the Elders Quorum in our ward has a chili cookoff and it is always a great time. This year we had the pleasure of hosting it at our place. As you can see it was a great success and there were many delicious chili recipes to choose from. I regret to say that I did not actually take any pictures of the various pots of chili...totally dumb I know.
We love having the Elders over and so we were happy when they stopped by with an investigator to help us with our taste off. Side note: the last few weeks I have worked tirelessly ripping down wallpaper and painting. Like the new color? I will post before and after pictures but I wanted to wait until I get my window treatments up & the new backsplash put in.
Here is Warren making his very own "chili macaroni" as he named it. He has become quite the little helper in the kitchen. He loves to wear his "chef apron" to help me cook and do the dishes....which actually becomes a bigger mess than if I did it myself......BUT we have so much fun together its all worth it. 
He He. Enough said.
Sock Monkey anyone? As a kid they always creeped me out a little but I think I will keep this one around for SOME strange reason. 
I love my BUMBO chair...except this is what happens when mommy leaves me there too long.
The fire fighter waiting patiently to go trick or treating. 
Ready to go mom!
Daddy coloring my pumkin with me at the Halloween carnival. 
Charlotte was one of Warren's first friends that we met right after we moved to Texas and every year she comes with us to the Halloween Carnival at the church. 